Twig nests of more than 50 bird species under protection have been found in the state forest within a year 29.06

A cooperation agreement between RMK and NGO Estonian Eagle Club, concluded a year ago, has strengthened the protection of eagles and Black Storks nesting in the state forest. Within a period of one year, 53 new twig nests were found and placed under protection.

A total of 29 nests found in the state forest belonged to the species in protected category I, which are under the strictest protection, and 11 belonged to species in protected category II. Most of the newly discovered nests belonged to White-Tailed Eagle, Northern Goshawk and Lesser Spotted Eagle. Additionally, Osprey, Black Stork and Eurasian Eagle-Owl nests were found. A total of 13 new nests belonged to species in protected category III (Common Buzzard, European Honey-Buzzard) with more lenient protection.

According to the cooperation agreement, signed in March of last year, RMK and NGO Estonian Eagle Club assumed the obligation to intensify information exchange. RMK’s forest planners and foresters also passed a special training for finding and identifying nest trees.

Within a year, the Estonian Eagle Club has informed RMK of 32 new nests in the state forest area. This information has been rapidly forwarded to the Environmental Board and additionally directly to RMK, and as a result RMK has been able to implement an immediate cutting ban in the nest tree protection zone. Similarly, besides notifying the Environmental Board of nest tree findings, RMK also immediately sends this information to the Estonian Eagle Club. Within a year, RMK’s forest workers have found 21 new nests, while making preparations for cutting works.

“It is important for RMK to be aware of and preserve all values that can be found in the forest. Rapid and immediate information exchange enables immediate protection to be organised. The Estonian Eagle Club and RMK’s forest workers have cooperated well together during the last year,” summarised Tiit Timberg, member of the Management Board of RMK.

“Without a doubt, RMK’s hundred or so forest workers are of great help in discovering the nests of eagles and Black-Storks,” agreed Urmas Sellis, a representative of the Estonian Eagle Club. Currently, 1619 nests – both on state and private land – for twig nest species have been registered in the Environmental Register, of which the majority, 1099, belong to species in protected category I.

Starting from last year, the Estonian Eagle Club also pays grants to people who notify them of new twig nests. A total of 13 grants have been paid so far, with many having turned town the monetary reward.

The Estonian Eagle Club was established in 1989, when Einar Tammur initiated the formation of the nature protection cooperative Eagle. With the inclusion of new members and the development of Estonia, within ten years the cooperative transformed into a club of eagle men, which was officially named the Estonian Eagle Club. The Estonian Eagle Club was officially registered in 1999. The objective of the Estonian Eagle Club’s activities is to ensure that eagles and Black Storks will continue to enrich our landscape in the future.

RMK is a profit-making state agency, established under the Forest Act. Its main task is to manage the state forest sustainably and effectively. RMK grows reforestation material, organises forest works, executes practical nature protection works and is engaged in forest and timber sales. Additionally, RMK establishes opportunities for nature walking and forest vacation in recreation areas, in five Estonian national parks and in almost 40 other protected areas, and shapes nature awareness. RMK manages 38% of Estonia’s forests.